Kirk attended the night with his brother Jason and arrived expecting very little.

Before this year, he had polled just three career votes in five years. Last year he received only one vote.

His fourth place illustrated his importance to the Swans' overall team structure but Kirk said he expected Hall, who kicked a record personal haul of 70 goals this year and finished fourth in the Coleman Medal, to take out the Bobby Skilton Medal for the best and fairest Swan.

"I was gobsmacked during the count, I couldn't believe how I was going," Kirk said.

"Last year, I hardly got a vote at all and I thought this year I had a similar year but I won a bit more football.

"I think my game evolved this year. I was not just trying to nullify opponents and maybe the umpires noted that.

"At the end of the day it's just three guys' [the umpires] opinions and everyone in the crowd of 40,000 or so at the game would have a different opinion."

Kirk, 27, has turned his career around in the past two years to become one of the game's leading taggers and was rewarded with selection in the 2004 All-Australian team.

He said it was pleasing to get recognition for his efforts but stressed team triumphs were why he played the game.

"In the defensive midfield position you don't usually get much recognition from the umpires, or people who watch the game," he said.

"You sacrifice your game for the team and play how the coaches want you to play and many people don't realise that. So, as a defensive player, I was very surprised to poll so well."

The Swans' end-of-season awards include a best and fairest voted on by the match committee, and the players' player award.

Kirk, runner-up last year to former Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes, rejected claims that his Brownlow result made him favourite to take the Swans' most prestigious award.

"The Brownlow is very different from the best and fairest," he said.

"Within the team the coaches know exactly what the players are meant to do and why they are meant to do it. Outsiders wouldn't see a lot of that.

"Luke Ablett might sacrifice his game for the team and get only 10 touches but play a huge part in a win.

"Barry Hall has had a great year and I would say he would be right up there, with Leo Barry.

"Jude Bolton had a great second half of the season and I would think they would all be in the top three or four."